10-19-17 ABN Now

EWS

Telling the story of Arkansas Baptists since 1901

Inside:

– Arkansas WMU restructures – NAMB planters aim to reach Montréal – Jones discusses WBC name change – Arkansas students pray during SYATP – Golden Age event encourages seniors

Volume 116, Number 21

Rejuvenation of building breathes new life into church

page 8

October 19, 2017

Photo by Caleb Yarbrough

Volunteers share gospel in central Ark.

FBC, El Dorado, updates sanctuary

Page 3

Members of New Hope Baptist Church in Pollard work on house in North Little Rock Oct. 7.

Find your next pastor or staff member here!

See the ABN classifieds on Page 12.

You can now submit a classified ad via the ABN website at

arkansasbaptist.org/ads

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October 19, 2017

Digest Stories of interest to Arkansas Baptists

ACLU sues for abortion pills in pharmacies WOMEN SHOULD be able to get abortion-inducing drugs at their local pharmacies in addition to abortion facilities, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues in a new lawsuit.

The group sued on behalf of a Hawaii abortionist and three medical entities against federal regulations of the drug RU-486, also known as mifepristone and the brand name Mifeprex.

The drug works with the drug misoprostol to cut off nutrients to babies during early pregnancy and send the mother into labor.

Under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations of Mifeprex, abortionists must order, carry and dispense the drug themselves or send women to a clinic, medical office or hospital that carries it.

The FDA relaxed the regulations on Mifeprex in 2016 by allowing abortionists to administer it later in pregnancy than before and removing the requirement that the companion drug, misoprostol, be administered at an abortion facility.

Some abortionists have difficulty stocking the abortion drugs, the ACLU said, and the FDA should loosen the restrictions on mifepristone even further.

“Once a woman has been prescribed Mifeprex, there is no medical benefit to requiring that the pill be handed to her at a medical office, clinic, or hospital rather than handed to her at her local pharmacy or via a mail-order pharmacy,” the suit states.

But pro-life advocates disagree, arguing that the drug is risky enough for women without further easing of restrictions.

–Baptist Press For more ABN Digest, go to arkansasbaptist.org/abn-digest

Williams name change helps define university ‘s future WALNUT RIDGE – The junior college because we were decision to change the name such a great junior college,” he of Williams Baptist College said.

Although WBC has been (WBC) to Williams Baptist University is intended to com- a four-year institution for 33 municate “not only what we years, the idea “still lingered have been and who we are but that we were just a junior colwhere we’re going as well,” said lege,” he said, explaining that the name change will help alTom Jones, WBC president.

Speaking to host Bill Bump- leviate that misconception.

While it’s been only a few as in Arkansas Baptist News Podcast 72, Jones said that the weeks since the name change decision, announced on Sept. announcement, “Already we 20, is the culmination of sever- can see the changes in people’s perception of al years of straus,” he said. tegic planning Although which began there are no in 2012. regulatory The college criteria, defiwas launched nitions or in 1941 as d i st i n c t i o n s Southern associated Baptist Colwith the name lege, and in change, WBC 1991, on the fits the typical school’s 50th Listen to the ABN Podcast at assumption anniversar y, arkansasbaptist.org/abn-podcast of a univerthe name was sity because it changed to Williams Baptist College, in has several academic divisions honor of founder H.E. Wil- and its first master’s program, Jones explained, adding that liams.

From 1941 to 1984, the WBC will offer additional school operated as a junior graduate degrees moving forcollege. “We did such a great ward.

Sometimes, Jones said, job with that (being a junior college) that the state of Ar- the change from a college to kansas, it seems, couldn’t get a university is “just a change over the fact that we weren’t a in letterhead. But we … just

Williams Baptist College President Tom Jones discusses the college’s name change in Arkansas Baptist News Podcast 72. couldn’t do that. We had to have some substantial reasons” for making the change.

“It just seemed like the right time for us to do it,” said Jones, adding that July 1 will mark the final transitions related to the name change.

The WBC name change does not alter the school’s affiliation with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

“We are not partners with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and we are not associates of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. We are the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. They own, they operate us. Our trustees are selected by the state convention. We answer to the Arkansas Baptist Convention. That means we answer to the people in the pew.

“We’re a major ministry of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and proud of that. We think our base purpose comes from what we

do as Baptists and reaching people with the gospel,” Jones said.

The WBC president described numerous successes in the past few years with major gifts, projects and additions to the academic program. Additionally, the size of the WBC athletic programs has tripled, bringing in many students who otherwise might not have considered WBC. He said it was gratifying to see that the plans that had been worked on are “actually working.”

When the name change was announced Sept. 20, “There were tears in the eyes of faculty members, and the kids just went nuts. We had a great day. Honestly, that fervor, that excitement has not died down very much. We’re still excited about it,” Jones said.

“We’ve had confirmation after confirmation that it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

For more information visit williamsbaptistcollege.com.

Ark. WMU restructures at annual meeting NORTH LITTLE ROCK – A restructuring of the Arkansas Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) was approved during the organization’s annual meeting and Engage event Sept. 16 at Central Baptist Church, North Little Rock.

About 140 Arkansas WMU members and guests participated in the Engage event designed to celebrate the work of women in the state, nation and world.

Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director of national WMU and former Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) staff member, challenged Arkansas WMU to “become once again a move-

Other changes included ment fueled by the passion of the why of God’s mission,” adding “one member of the according to information pro- ABSC staff” to the WMU Exvided about the meeting from ecutive Board and designating Debbie Moore of the ABSC that “The Executive Director shall be a voting memmissions team. ber and shall be an exDuring the Arkanecutive officer.” sas WMU Executive According to bylaws, Board meeting, the the WMU Executive board approved revised Board is comprised of bylaws, which include four elected officers statements clarifying and an executive directhe relationship of Moore tor, as well as one memthe organization to the ber from each of the eight disABSC. Changes to the bylaws in- tricts in the state as defined by the ABSC, four at-large memcluded: “Arkansas WMU’s member- bers, one Hispanic WMU ship shall be determined by leader member and one memthose who register and attend ber of the ABSC staff.

Also added to the bylaws the annual meeting.”

was the following: “The Executive Director and the ABSC Team Member serving on the Executive Board are not limited to a specific term of office.

The Executive Director is an employee of the ABSC and works in consultation with Arkansas WMU. The Executive Director must meet all the employment standards and requirements of an Arkansas Baptist State Convention employee.”

Moore, who retired from the ABSC in 2016 as women’s ministry and missions consultant, was elected the new Arkansas WMU execu-

See WMU page 14

www.arkansasbaptist.org

2,500 volunteers from 190 churches witness during Acts 1:8 One Day event MORE THAN 2,500 volunteers from 190 churches from across the state fanned out in north Pulaski County in central Arkansas for the seventh annual Acts 1:8 One Day Mission Trip Oct. 7.

The numerous outreach activities performed by volunteers of all ages were designed to impact the area in the most significant and life-changing ways possible – all with the goal of sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Activities included street evangelism, prayer walking, home repair and renovation, medical-dental clinics, food distribution, Laundromat services, senior adult ministries, children’s activities, fishing derbies, car washes and yard cleanup.

By day’s end, 35 people had made professions of faith in Jesus Christ, said Breck Freeman, assistant team leader of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention mission team. In all, 19 block parties were held; 117 patients were seen at medical and dental clinics, and 15 home repair projects were conducted.

At a community park in the Baring Cross area of North Little Rock, Glenn Ballard of Summit Church in North Little Rock stood watch over an inflatable slide for children.

Nearby, a “free” yard sale was held for area families, and school supplies were provided to children. Additionally, volunteers picked up trash in the neighborhood and helped renovate homes.

“The whole idea is to have the park where families feel like they can come and just feel loved on and cared for,” said Ballard. “It’s a total community effort.”

Some Summit Church members have moved to the Baring Cross community where the church is involved in various ministries, including an after-school program for children, said Ballard. “(I’m here) to share the gospel if I have a chance,” he smiled.

Kristen Walker, who leads the ministry, Urban Promise, in the Baring Cross community, looked across the park at all the activities.

Kristen Walker (second from left), who leads the ministry, Urban Promise, stands with Shannon Shelton and her children, Angel and Abrenee Thomas, residents of the Baring Cross community of North Little Rock. Photo by Tim Yarbrough “Everyone seems to be having a good time,” she said.

“The best day ever!” yelled a boy named Tory standing next to Walker.

“One of my goals is to build relationships,” Walker said.

The Acts 1:8 One Day Mission Trip helped her connect with Baring Cross children and their families in a fun and casual setting.

The one-day mission event also helped provide volunteers with “a context of understanding of what is going on right here and how great the people are,” Walker said, adding that

she would “love to get the volunteers plugged in on a regular basis,” helping mentor the children spiritually and academically.

“Jesus Christ is the answer,” she said.

Thirty-one volunteers from New Hope Baptist Church in Pollard served in the Levy neighborhood of North Little Rock, painting and doing much-needed carpentry work on a local resident’s home.

Mike Ward was among the New Hope Baptist volunteers who made the three-hour trip from the far northeast corner

Participants in the Acts 1:8 One Day Mission Trip hold up signs while they pray at an organizational rally at North Little Rock High School. Photo by Caleb Yarbrough

of the state to participate in the event.

The New Hope team worked in sync, with some volunteers scraping while others painted, renovated the home’s porch and installed new corner poles on the home, Ward said.

“Yeah, these kids sure are good about helping,” he said.

Thirty people from Ruddell Hill Baptist Church in Batesville served at Levy Baptist Church in North Little Rock during the mission effort.

“Everybody has their part to play,” said Don Stewart, one of the Ruddell Hill Baptist Church volunteers.

“We want people to come to know Jesus. That’s what we’re here for,” he said. He explained that block parties attract community residents to a festive atmosphere, giving volunteers an opportunity to ask participants about their spiritual relationship with Jesus and church involvement.

“We … ask them what are they going to say when God asks, ‘Why should I let you into my kingdom?’ Of course the answer is they have to know Jesus,” he said.

View more photos of the Acts 1:8 One Day Mission Trip at arkansasbaptist.org/ photo-gallery.

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Digest Stories of interest to Arkansas Baptists

ERLC, GuideStone defend clergy housing allowance NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention’s religious freedom entity will maintain its effort to preserve the ministerial housing allowance because pastors are crucial “for flourishing, vibrant communities,” said Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) Oct. 10.

The ERLC stands alongside GuideStone Financial Resources – the SBC’s health and financial benefits entity – in opposing an Oct. 6 federal court decision that invalidated the housing allowance, said Moore. In the opinion, Judge Barbara Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin ruled the allowance an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment clause that prohibits a government establishment of religion – the second time she has done so in four years.

Moore described the opinion as “a sad development that represents a needless challenge to hardworking pastors devoted to serving their communities.”

“More still, this ruling is wrong: the housing allowance is in no sense the government establishing religion,” Moore said in a written release. “The allowance is neutral, applies indiscriminately to all religions and removing it would disproportionately harm clergy in small congregations across the country.”

GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said Oct. 9 regarding the opinion, “The housing allowance, far from being a government endorsement of religion, as Judge Crabb contends, actually removes government from the equation.”

For more ABN Digest, go to arkansasbaptist.org/abn-digest

Editorial&Opinion 4

October 19, 2017 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...”

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

When prayer comes to Las Vegas

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don’t know of anyone who glorified as a result of the was not saddened, comtragedy. pletely appalled and moved In the days following the to prayer following the masshooting, numerous billsacre of 58 people attending a boards and casino marquees country music concert in Las that once enticed visitors Vegas a few weeks ago. to Las Vegas attractions disRandom mass killings like played messages such as, “Pray the one we witnessed in Las for Las Vegas, Pray for our Vegas are becoming all too City, Pray for the Survivors.” common in our country and Southern Baptist churches throughout – some of the world. which were Pressing On The tools previously overTim Yarbrough of destruction looked by visiPhil. 3:14 are many and tors to the city varied – but – offered grief the commonality of all these counseling and held prayer incidents is clear. vigils immediately following There is evil in the world, the massacre, and they remain and Satan is working overactive as Las Vegas recovers. time to overtake the hearts Among them is Hope and minds of men and lead Church, a plant of the North them to destruction – which American Mission Board and in Las Vegas resulted in the First Baptist Church, Woodmurder of dozens of innocent stock, Ga., where Vance Pitpeople. man is pastor.

Most disturbing is that the “The way this city has ralmotive of the killer in Las lied has been incredible. We Vegas is still unclear, accordare largely a city of transients, ing to authorities. but this has brought us toHe apparently was not killgether as a unified commuing in the name of Allah, or nity,” Pitman said. because he was a disgruntled Jim Collins, pastor of Disemployee or due to a failed covery Church in Las Vegas business endeavor or relation- and a Nevada Baptist Convenship. tion mission strategist, said It seems he murdered congregations are responding people just to murder them – to spiritual questions, giving all of whom are made in the financially to victims’ families image of a Holy God. and continuing to minister to The lives of family memfirst responders and the famibers who lost loved ones have lies and friends of survivors. been altered forever, as are the Michael Rochelle, pastor lives of those who are recoverof Shadow Hills Church in ing from horrendous injuries Las Vegas, said a number of – many of whom will bear the people from the church were scars of injuries or be crippled present during the shooting, for the rest of their lifetimes. with some being injured.

While it is difficult to unHe said Shadow Hills pasderstand when a murderous tors provided counseling at a rampage such as this takes local crisis response site, emplace, as Christians, we know phasizing Scripture’s comfort the Lord will ultimately be from Psalms.

Inform. Inspire. Involve.

Volume 116, Number 21 USPS08021 Member of the Association of State Baptist Publications Arkansas Press Association Evangelical Press Association Baptist Communicators Association

Tim Yarbrough, editor/exec. director Jeanie Weber, administrative assistant Caleb Yarbrough, associate editor Margaret Colson, writer/copy editor Barbara Vick, circulation coordinator David Vick, strategist Advertising: ads@arkansasbaptist.org Phone 501-376-4791, ext. 5161

Cartoon by Gary Thomas

“The greatest emphasis for us right now is that we live in a broken world,” he said.

“Tragedies like this highlight that brokenness, but the brokenness is here. And the answer is our faith in God. It’s

our hope in Jesus Christ.”

John Mark Simmons, pastor of Highland Hills Baptist Church in Henderson, Nev., a Las Vegas suburb, called the church to intense and focused prayer following the shooting.

Simmons asked the church “to pray for God to bring good even though Satan meant the shooting for evil.”

Tim Yarbrough is editor/ executive director of the Arkansas Baptist News.

Businessperson of Year deadline Nov. 1 LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Baptist News (ABN) is planning to hold its annual Arkansas Baptist Businessperson of the Year recognition, and ABN readers are invited to nominate a businessman or businesswoman from their church for consideration.

Candidates should be a resident of Arkansas and a member of an Arkansas Baptist church. They should be

actively involved in ministry in their church and in other areas.

To nominate someone, please include the following: (1) name, phone number, email and church membership of the submitter; (2) name, phone number, email and church membership of the candidate, and (3) a 200300 word essay explaining why the candidate should be considered for Arkansas Baptist

Businessperson of the Year, including the impact he or she makes in the business world, as well as his or her involvement in church/ministries/missions.

Submissions for the contest must be received on or before Nov. 1.

Email nominations to tim@arkansasbaptist.org or mail to Baptist Businessperson of Year, 10 Remington Dr., Little Rock, AR 72204.

Toll-free 800-838-2272, ext. 5161 Arkansas Baptist News (ISSN 1040-6056) is published bi-weekly except the last issue of the year (25 issues) by the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine, Inc., 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204.

SUBSCRIPTION rates are $7.75 per year (Every Resident Family Plan), $8.75 per year (Group Plan), $15 per year (Individual).

Arkansas Baptist News, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204.; phone 501-376-4791;

toll-free 800-838-2272; email: abn@arkansasbaptist.org. Periodical Postage paid at Little Rock, AR. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Send Letters to the Editor to tim@arkansasbaptist. org or to our mailing address. Letters must be typed, doublespaced and 300 words or less (fewer words the better). Letters must be signed and marked “for publication” and may be edited to fit space requirements.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes

to Arkansas Baptist News, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Bob Beach, Little Rock, president; Doug Hibbard, vice president; Stephanie Copes, Crossett, secretary; James Bryant, Harrison; Danny Allen, Rison; Jennifer Booth, Little Rock; Carey Trickey, Judsonia; Mike McCoy, Hoxie; Mike Sheets, Texarkana; Mike Vinson, Corning; Juel Zeiser, Hot Springs Village; Tommy Jacobs, Lexa; Larry Killian, Hampton; S. D. Hacker, Sage.

www.arkansasbaptist.org

Where did Cain get his wife (Gen. 4:17)?

Baptists Ask Ken Gore

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lthough it’s one of the bestknown Bible questions, Genesis 4 provides further mysteries to solve: Abel’s avenger and Cain’s “mark” being among them.

When readers find no simple answers to their questions, perhaps they should heed some biblical reading protocol.

First, readers may not find suitable answers to their Bible questions. Further, any solutions that they conclude may not be entirely helpful. Oftentimes their “answers” may simply lead to further questions, which can cause a great deal of frustration.

Second, the biblical narrator is in control. Readers’ questions may or may not reflect what the narrator wanted to convey. If the biblical narrator wanted readers to know, he would have told them. Because the biblical narrator always had a reason for telling the account, it is up to the reader to find out what that reason is.

Third, “I don’t know” or “The text doesn’t say” are perfectly good answers. It may be frustrating not to have an answer to every question, but it is disingenuous to cram an answer into a question that simply doesn’t fit.

The text doesn’t identify Cain’s wife. One could assume that she was a woman related to Cain, but the narrator was not interested in sharing this detail. Her identity is simply not important to the story.

Instead, he explained how Cain’s jealousy of his brother Abel cost him dearly, and he became a “restless wanderer” on the face of the earth. This led another son of Adam – Seth – to begin the lineage that “called on the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26, NIV).

Although some Bible questions cannot be answered, it is never wrong to ask them. These questions originate from a sincere desire to study the Bible. They promote good discussion and greater study of the biblical narrative.

Ken Gore is professor of biblical studies at Dallas Baptist University.

Baptists Ask is reader-driven. To submit a question, write Baptists Ask, c/o Tim Yarbrough, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204 or submit your quesiton by email to tim@ arkansasbaptist.org.

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Reactions

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Consequently, they insisted that I diligently eat it all. here are very few foods I absolutely detest, even if I cannot help but consider my responses to other, much I don’t really like them. But I have always detested bigger “tastes” in life, especially now that I am an adult. squash. The taste, the smell and even the thought of it I don’t like to be treated rudely. But I abhor abortion. make me want to gag.

When this world listens to my responses to rudeness and Growing up, I was the only one in my family who didn’t abortion, do they hear the difference? Or is my attitude tolike squash, so naturally it was a part of our family menu ward abortion cheapened because I rail so strongly against rotation. And I always had to eat it. I’ve never been boththe simple inconvenience of being treated rudely? ered by mixing my foods, so any other food I disliked I This is the challenge for us as followers of Jesus. While could tolerate by simply combining it with a bite of somewe need to acknowledge that all sin is an ofthing delicious. But not squash. There fense to the holiness of God, there are times was no hiding the squash. It ruined every that we let our personal distaste for one sin or other flavor and any pleasure I might Uncovered Dish another overwhelm us. We may find ourselves have gleaned from the rest of the meal. willing to embrace and forgive the adulterer I would love to say that my parents were Ann Hibbard while harboring resentment toward the one wrong to make me eat squash. But the who gossiped about us. We diligently pray for truth is that I was really the one to blame the people being witnessed to by international in this whole scenario. I think they might missionaries while ignoring our own backyards full of the have responded differently if I had behaved differently. lost and broken. Our hearts and actions fail to communiThe problem existed because I equally complained about cate the depth of sin, but more than that, the depth of the foods I didn’t want to eat simply because I wasn’t in the love of God for all of humanity. mood. For instance, I do not dislike English peas, but they As we continue to travel this journey toward heaven, aren’t my favorite food, and some days I wasn’t really in the may the passions of our heart be truly understood so that mood for them. Unfortunately, on those days I tended to we don’t waste our responses on the trivial, but offer utter protest peas as vehemently as I protested squash. delight or true anguish only to those things that matter for Peas are tolerable. Squash is not. But all too often my eternity. reaction to both was the same. My parents had no way of Ann Hibbard is a member of East End Baptist Church in East determining what I really disliked and what I was just not End. Read her blog at annhibbard.com. in the mood to eat.

A Buddhist’s questions about Christianity

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suffer mankind’s death penalty. But, these animals were fter being seated and giving our drink orders to the not perfect and only prophetically pointed toward the perserver, Riku* warmly thanked me for meeting with fect “death penalty stand-in” to come. him to openly and honestly address his questions. Riku is I told him how God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be my new Buddhist friend; and at his request, I was meeting born on this earth, experience temptation yet never sin, him for a quiet, private lunch to begin answering his long and perform miracles proving His deity – even commandlist of questions about Christianity. ing the weather and raising the dead. Then I shared how The list contained questions regarding why Christians Jesus voluntarily subjected Himself to horrible torture and are opposed to same-sex marriage, why Christians have death, taking upon Himself the punishment of all manso many rules that suppress freedom of expression and kind once and for all, and then conquering personal preference, why a loving God death and demonstrating His deity by coming would permit suffering in the world, back to life after being buried in a tomb. I told as well as a dozen or so other common Answering him that for those who believe this is true, queries. the Call turn away from their selfishness and submit to “Riku, could I take about 10 minutes Eric Ramsey the Creator God as their life boss, the curse is to tell you a story that I think will lead lifted; their debt to God is totally forgiven, and you to the answers to virtually all of your they are granted adoption into God’s kingdom questions?” I asked. resulting in eternal life and connectivity to Creator God. “Sure,” he replied, “but, then can we talk about these “Now, Riku, can you tell me why a Christian says samequestions I have?” sex marriage is wrong?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” I answered with a smile. It did not take “The Creator engineered mankind to be male and fea rocket scientist or a psychologist to see the skepticism male; He established the rules of His creation, through his warm, polite demeanor. and only a rebellious creation would violate I explained that I was going to tell the perfect intended design of the Creator,” him a short story version of the entire he replied.

Christian life guidebook – the Bible. I “Riku, why is there suffering in the world?” began with creation, establishing God I asked. as the perfect one-and-only Creator “Because of the curse brought on by manof all things – including His most kind’s rebellion,” he answered. “Mankind magnificent creation, mankind, who should be grateful that they are not completely was created in God’s own image. I obliterated by the curse.” One by one, Riku explained that, from the beginning, answered each of his own questions.

God established behavioral boundaries Riku’s questions had been based on an understanding for mankind. Next I told him about how mankind was that mankind is the center of what is real, true and beautitempted and succumbed to that temptation, resulting in a ful. The gospel explains that God is reality, God is truth cursed creation, a fallen and imperfect state for mankind. and God’s nature and practice define beauty. The gospel I explained the tragedy of the great separation between the truly is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16, Creator and people; I explained that God’s pre-established KJV). law stated that the penalty for falling short of God’s stan*Name changed. dard for perfection was physical and spiritual death.

Eric W. Ramsey is an evangelism and mission strategist and I explained that because of God’s great love for manserves as associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Smith. kind, God, for a time, allowed certain selected animals to

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Editorial & Opinion

October 19, 2017

Your pastor needs you

By Larry White FOR THE PAST several years, I had the privilege of serving the local association as director of missions. One of the things I encountered almost every week was a discouraged pastor or staff member. Often they did not realize they were discouraged.

They were tired. They felt unappreciated. They were weary of well-doing.

They were drained by criticism.

I wanted to address things. I wanted to fix things.

White This is not what my pastor friend needed. In fact, I couldn’t fix his problems.

Most of them were God-sized projects. Neither did he need my analysis or diagnosis.

What he needed was my ears. He needed someone to listen, to hear him out. He needed someone who would not be just waiting for an opportunity to speak, someone who would not be overly critical of his ideas, someone who would walk with him through a struggle.

One of the best ways I found to do this was over a meal or a cup of coffee.

Seldom does a pastor get an opportunity to sit down over a meal and talk about what is on his heart. Most of his

time, he is listening to others.

He does this because he has been called to this ministry and he loves it. But still he needs reciprocation. He needs someone to return the favor.

He needs someone that genuinely cares for him and his family. Your pastor needs you.

The pastorate can be a lonely place. Yes, the pastor and staff are in high-profile positions. But after the crowd leaves on Sunday, and when they’re not at the hospital or in a committee meeting, they may be some of the loneliest people you know. In his classic work, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” Dr. Seuss addressed the problem of loneliness: All Alone!

Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.

There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

Your pastor and staff may be in that kind of place.

Dr. Seuss will continue and speak as if loneliness has a simple solution. Sometimes, it doesn’t.

Your pastor and staff need someone like you. They are at

See PASTOR page 14

Letter to the Editor ‘Emotionally charged’ cartoon “Shall I remain silent and let everyone think I'm dumb, or shall I speak up and remove all doubt?”

My preference has become the former, at my “advancing age,” but on occasion it just seems right to exercise the latter, so here goes: It is my considered opinion that few folks are really interested in my considered opinion regarding very many subjects. Consequently, I assume that few will note my statements here. However, in the words of one former Arkansas Baptist State Convention leader, “I must say it.”

I abhor the practice of abortion for birth control. I believe

our country needs tighter gun control policies. I have no interest in being a debate participant relative to either issue, not because I question the presence of merit in debate, but because I’m a terrible debater.

I question the editorial judgment in the May 18, 2017, issue of Arkansas Baptist News that prominently displayed a cartoon pitting the National Rif le Association against Planned Parenthood.

It seems to me that neither side’s cause is well-served by such an emotionally charged display.

Dennis Coop Sherwood

ABSC Agencies

‘Good luck’ faith M

line is long, but with your egan Fate-Marshman help I can do it! Are you with was late for her plane. me?”

When Marshman told the About half the people ticket agent she thought she cheered, and Marshman could make the plane, the started into the line unsure if agent cocked her head and people would help her. People said, “Good luck,” with a let her pass. tone of doubt When she was in her voice.

Camp Siloam halfway through Marshman Jason Wilkie the line, people took that started to cheer snide remark her on and highas a chalfive her as she passed. She lenge, grabbed her bag and began to move faster. She sprinted from the counter.

Arriving at the security check, made it through the security check, turned around and she stopped dead in her put her hands up in victory, tracks. The line was snaking thanking the people who had back and forth, creating at helped her. The entire crowd least a 30-minute delay. cheered as she turned and ran What Marshman did next to the gate. Marshman arrived is like a scene from a movie. just before the tarmac door Instead of walking away in defeat, Marshman set her feet, closed.

I heard Marshman tell raised her hands above her this story at Camp Siloam’s head and yelled to the mass Radiant retreat for junior of travelers, “People of the and senior high school girls. security check! My name is I wanted to go get my 11-yearMegan! I have five minutes to old daughter and let her hear catch my plane! I know this

Marshman teach. I want my daughter to one day have the same confidence Marshman said comes from knowing Jesus. As I heard Marshman tie her story to Scripture, I realized that the teaching is different when women teach one another. Women are very in tune to what other women struggle with, and they speak deeply to their needs. This realization helped me understand how important Camp Siloam’s all-girl retreat is to students. Please don’t let your female students miss it.

Marshman, who has spoken on the Women of Joy tour, is returning to Camp Siloam Feb. 16-18 for Camp Siloam’s 2018 Radiant retreat.

Caity Peters, a contestant on “The Voice,” will be our worship leader. You can hear Marshman and Peters and learn more about attending Radiant at campsiloam.com.

Jason Wilkie is executive director of Camp Siloam.

Estate planning for those in ministry T

he Foundation seeks to viduals or entities to receive serve, advise and encouryour assets at your death in age individuals toward a biblidocuments executed during cal worldview, especially as it your lifetime. 3) A contract. relates to best living a life of You name beneficiaries to austewardship. One way we try tomatically receive your propto encourage those serving erty at your death on forms Arkansas provided by the Baptists is financial instituBaptist by providing tions and entiFoundation free estate ties that serve Dillon McClain planning. as custodians Simply put, for your assets. estate planning is the process Additionally, you can use a of determining to whom, in beneficiary deed in Arkansas what manner and when the to transfer real estate to your possessions we have been loved ones automatically at blessed to steward will transdeath. fer. In our experience, the What’s more, estate planbest stewardship testimony ning involves making plans comes from the churches’ for when you leadership leading by example can no longer by executing an estate plan make plans that transfers assets in a Godfor yourself. honoring manner.

Whether you are age 18 Whether you have a plan or 108, it is or not, your assets will legally generally recpass in one of three ways: 1) ommended Intestacy. You die without to have, at a minimum, the a last will and testament or following three documents: written plan. In this case, the 1) Durable power of attorney assets held in your estate will for finances; 2) Health care pass according to Arkansas power of attorney, and 3) Livlaw. 2) A last will and testament or trust. You name indi- ing will.

Moreover, if you or someone else wants to benefit your ministry, we can draft the necessary language to make the gift happen or walk individuals through the various planned giving techniques to provide the most tax-efficient way to further the gospel.

The Foundation appreciates all of you who are in denominational service, and our services are one small way we can give back to you.

If you work for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention or any of its agencies, institutions or churches, the Foundation can provide estate planning to you and your spouse at no cost.

If you have questions concerning estate planning or how the Foundation can help you, please visit abf.org or contact us at info@abf.org.

Dillon S. McClain, an attorney, is vice president of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation.

www.arkansasbaptist.org

7

NAMB photo

Baptist cooperation brings gospel to Montréal Caleb Yarbrough Arkansas Baptist News MONTRÉAL – Once a bastion of Roman Catholicism in the New World, Montréal is today one of the most secular cities in North America. However, through the cooperative efforts of Southern Baptists, the light of the gospel is breaking through the city’s spiritual darkness.

Montréal is one of 32 Send cities selected as strategic targets for evangelism and church planting by the North American Mission Board (NAMB).

Montréal’s French influence lends it a unique identity among large North American cities.

During the 1960-70s, Québec, the province in which Montréal is located, experienced what has come to be called the Quiet Revolution.

The Quiet Revolution was a period in which Québec qui-

etly, but powerfully, secularized and revolted against the Roman Catholic Church, which, at the time, controlled many aspects of life in the province, according to a 1996 article by David Seljak, professor of religious studies at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario, in the publication Historical Studies.

The result of the Quiet Revolution was a Québec in which nearly all semblance of Christianity was not simply lost, but consciously wiped out. While many people from Montréal still consider themselves Catholic today, most see the Church as a cultural artifact instead of a sanctuary.

Less than one percent of Montréal’s population is evangelical.

For a long time Montréal has been a notoriously difficult place to plant churches, according to Chad Vandiver, NAMB’s Send Montréal city

James Copeland, pastor of Renaissance Church, an English-speaking church located in the Little Burgundy neighborhood of Montréal, shares about his church’s ministry during a vision tour of Send Montréal church plants Oct. 2. Photo by Caleb Yarbrough missionary.

While certain laws and regulations continue to make finding meeting spaces dif-

ficult, God is using Southern Baptists in tremendous ways across the city and its surrounding communities.

James Copeland is pastor of Renaissance Church, an English-speaking church plant located in the Little Burgundy neighborhood of Montréal.

Copeland, his wife, Abi, and their three children relocated to Montreal in October 2016 from Springfield, Mo., where Copeland was on staff of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, a supporting church of Renaissance Church since its founding in 2015.

“In these past couple of years Renaissance has developed a strong core of people who want to join with us in

seeing a gospel-focused, disciple-making church in the neighborhood of Little Burgundy,” Copeland said during a recent vision tour of NAMB church plants in Montreal.

“It’s our heart that people in this neighborhood wouldn’t have to look anywhere else for a church where they can know, love and follow Jesus.”

As a body Renaissance Church has adopted three statements that sum up their ministry goals: 1) We love Jesus, 2) We love each other, and 3) We love our world.

“We are centered on evangelism and discipleship because we believe that church

See MONTREAL page 14

8

Buildings & Facilities

October 19, 2017

FBC, El Dorado, adds form, function with sanctuary update Caleb Yarbrough Arkansas Baptist News EL DORADO – Sometimes it’s not the construction of a new building but the rejuvenation of an existing one that breathes new life into a church’s facilities.

Completed this past spring, a couple weeks after Easter, the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, El Dorado, was not expanded but feels much more spacious and open as a result of the renovations, according to Jonathan Kelley, pastor.

Before the recent renovation, the church’s sanctuary, built in 1922, had not been updated in decades and lacked functionality for the church’s current ministry needs.

“Two Sundays a month we have orchestra; three Sundays a month we have a choir; every Sunday we have a worship team and praise singers, and we were really lacking floor space,” said Kelley.

To improve functionality of the sanctuary, the church removed the front pew from each of its three sections. In addition, new carpet was installed; the pews were recovered, and the stage was extensively reworked.

The front steps of the stage were removed, and the stage was reworked into semi-circular shape. Dead spaces around the platform were built up, adding additional space to the platform. The entire stage also received hardwood flooring and new radial steps that allow better access to the space during events.

“One of the things that we found out throughout the project was that while we didn’t

See SANCTUARY page 9

Volunteers participate in the recent renovation of First Baptist Church, El Dorado’s, sanctuary. Renovations were completed a couple of weeks after Easter.

SPECIAL CHURCH PRICES ALWAYS

Buildings & Facilities 9

www.arkansasbaptist.org

First Baptist Church, El Dorado’s, recent updates to its sanctuary included reupolstering its pews and reshaping and adding hardwoods to the stage.

Much of the labor for the project was provided by volunteers within the church.

SANCTUARY continued from page 8 add a ton of square footage, visually it looks a lot bigger and a lot less crowded,” Kelley

said of the church’s renovated sanctuary.

While companies were hired to reupholster the pews and lay the new flooring, volunteers from the church provided all labor for the stage renovations.

“We have a lot of guys that have construction backgrounds in the church who are really skilled and know what they are doing,” said Kelley.

Due to the facility’s age, much of the stage’s construction was tricky.

“Our sanctuary is on a slope. It was a really meticulous, long process,” said Kelley.

“People who were excited are even more excited on the back end. And many people who were skeptical think it looks great,” said Kelley.

“We get a lot of comments from people who – it’s their first time in the sanctuary in a couple of years – say, ‘Oh, wow, this looks awesome,’” he said.

Contact Caleb Yarbrough at caleb@arkansasbaptist.org.

10

October 19, 2017

Students pray for schools, leaders at See You at the Pole ACROSS ARKANSAS and the nation, tens of thousands of students – including many from Arkansas Baptist churches – participated in the 27th annual See You at the Pole (SYATP) event at public and private high schools, middle schools and elementary schools on Sept. 27.

SYATP encourages students to gather at their school flagpoles for prayer at 7 a.m. local time. Other prayer events were also being held throughout Global Week of Student Prayer Sept. 24-30. Typically, many churches will host SYATP-related events in the evening, allowing students to share prayer reports from their individual schools.

In Arkansas, reports and photographs flooded in from across the state from youth pastors, other church workers and sponsors at local schools.

The Arkansas Baptist News received various reports from Murfreesboro, A s h d ow n , Jacksonville, Manila, Dover, Smackover, North Little Rock, Bergman, Sherwood, Star City, Camden and Rose Bud. Nearly 100 students and other participants were in attendance for SYATP at Star City High School in Star City, according to Lynda Greene.

“After the prayer, several area churches, including Yorktown First Baptist and Star City First Baptist, teamed up to serve the students donuts, milk, orange and apple juice,” Greene said.

“Donuts and juice were provided at both schools and Hebrews 12:2 was read,” according to Glenda Riddle, student minister at First Baptist Church, Ashdown.

“We had a great time of worship and prayer this morning,” was posted to Sherwood’s Abundant Life School Facebook page. “A big ‘Thanks’ to the senior class for helping plan this annual

event. Our Lord was praised today as we were encouraged to ‘fix our eyes upon Jesus.’”

Abundant Life is a ministry of Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church.

A large group of students gathered at Rose Bud High School for the prayer event.

“The youth program HH5 at Rose Bud First Baptist Church helped sponsor the event which included worship in singing, praying and eating breakfast together,” said Becky Henry.

In Camden, Fairview High School gathered for prayer with many students from Cullendale First Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church present, along with students from other area churches.

At Bergman High School in Bergman boys from the Arkansas Baptist Boys Ranch joined other students praying at the flagpole, according to Stella Prather of Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries.

M a n y students gathered at elementary, middle school and high school flagpoles in Dover. That evening approximately 100 middle school and high school students came together at First Baptist Church, Dover, for a Saw You at the Pole rally. Because SYATP had been preceded by a youth evangelistic emphasis at the church, many students have indicated interest in becoming Christians, said Daniel Johnson, minister to students, First Baptist Church, Dover. Johnson said that he and other church leaders are now following up with these young people about their spiritual decisions.

SYATP promoter Doug Clark, national field director for the National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM), expected students to pray especially for national unity this year, and for communities hit by hurricanes and earthquakes. Still, organizers avoid

Students from the Rose Bud school district and Smackover High School (below) pray during See You at the Pole Sept. 27. dictating prayer points, Clark said.

“I believe students will be praying about our culture wars, and also focusing on the areas of the U.S. (Florida/Texas), Puerto Rico and Mexico that are groaning right now,” Clark said. “The theme this year is ‘Fix Our Eyes,’ from Hebrews 12:2. Our nation needs more than ever before to get our eyes

off our divisions and fix them on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith.”

While participation in SYATP reached as high as three million in the 1990s, Clark said, it has leveled to one million in more recent years and has included as many as 64 countries.

SYATP does not violate U.S. laws against prayer in

schools, as all prayer is studentled, before school hours and outside of any school building, according to the SYATP website. But the site encourages students to pray off campus if school administrators object to the event.

View a photo gallery of SYATP events across Arkansas at arkansasbaptist.org/ photo-gallery.

www.arkansasbaptist.org

11

17 saved at Bucks, Ducks and Faith Sept. 30 in Black Rock BLACK ROCK – “In the spiritual realm, you are the one being hunted,” evangelist Sam Moore of Bentonville told more than 200 gathered Sept. 30 for Bucks, Ducks and Faith at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Black Rock.

Comparing the activities of a deer hunter who attracts prey by putting out deer corn, Moore told men, women and children, “Don’t eat the devil’s corn;” rather, he urged participants to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ.

Just as a hunter who “misses his mark” with a gun or bow, our lives miss the mark and must be made right by the

blood Jesus shed on the cross, he said.

“The entire human race has a terrible problem: sin,” said Moore, adding that if individuals haven’t accepted Jesus as their personal Savior then they are already separated from God. Quoting Matthew 7:14, the evangelist said the path to God is narrow and only a few find it.

“Jesus said we must be born again. We must be made right.

That’s why God sent His Son,” said Moore.

Urging attendees to make a decision for Jesus and not delay, Moore said, “The devil will throw out some corn to

Evangelist Sam Moore preaches at the Bucks, Ducks and Faith event Sept. 30 at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Black Rock. In all, 17 people made professions of faith in Jesus Christ during the event. keep you from making a commitment.”

He reiterated, “Don’t eat the devil’s corn!”

In all, 17 people made professions of faith in Jesus Christ at the event.

The Bucks, Ducks and Faith event included a free meal for all those attending, giveaways and praise and worship from the Mountain Home band, After Grace. The event was sponsored by Black

River Baptist Association and Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, where Blake Shaw serves as pastor.

View a photo gallery of the event at arkansasbaptist.org/ photo-gallery.

12

Across Arkansas

Obituaries Ava Nelle O’Bryan, 79, of Hot Springs died Oct. 8.

O’Bryan, a native of Pine Bluff, was a member of Piney Baptist Church in Hot Springs.

She served as advertising representative for the Arkansas Baptist News for many years.

Tony O’Bryan, writing about his mother, said, “(T) he main thing about mother is the way she earns my accolades as ‘World’s Greatest Baptist.’

From before I can remember she was taking us to church.

Not just church though, all of it. Sunday school, training union, Wednesday prayer meeting, WMU, Bible school every summer, youth camps and trips, Annie Armstrong, revivals, guest preachers and more.”

He added, “(In later years) she even went as a missionary to Romania, three or four times, on her own money!

And never quit praying.”

O’Bryan was preceded in death by her parents,

October 19, 2017

Victor Lee Hunt and Rosa Keterson Hunt, and a husband, Gordon.

She is survived by four sons, 13 grandchildren, 22 greatgrandchildren, four brothers and two sisters.

Memorial services were held Oct. 14 at Piney Baptist Church in Hot Springs.

Conway Hale Sawyers, 89, of Burleson, Tex as, died Sept. 29.

S a w y e r s served 10 years as director of the missions department of the Arkansas Baptist State Con-

vention in Little Rock and 17 years as director of missions of Liberty Baptist Association in El Dorado.

He was a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marceille, a daughter, a son, two sisters, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Oct. 5 at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Betty M. Williamson, 73, of Fort Smith, died Sept. 21.

She was a member of Spradling Baptist Church in Fort Smith where her husband,

Ron, served as pastor for 32 years.

Williamson served many years as church secret ar y at Spradling Baptist Church and participated in the Arkansas Baptist State C o nve n t i o n ’ s women's organizations and missions.

She is survived by her husband, a daughter, a son, a sister, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Sept. 26 at Spradling Baptist Church in Fort Smith.

ABN Classifieds reach across Arkansas!

Classifieds PASTOR Effective Oct. 1, 2017, the pastor search committee of Faith Southern Baptist Church in Huntsville will begin accepting resumes for a bi-vocational pastor. Mail resumes to: Faith Southern Baptist Church, PO Box 273, Huntsville, AR, 72740. 479-738-2487. Resumes accepted until Nov. 1, 2017.

Calvary Baptist Church, Corning, is prayerfully seeking a full-time pastor. Send resume to John Herren, 2518 West Main, Corning, AR 72422.

Hatfield First Baptist is prayerfully seeking full-time pastor. Send resumes to fbchpsc17@gmail.com or FBC Hatfield PO Box 108, Hatfield, AR 71945.

Calvary Baptist Church of Hope, AR, is seeking a full-time pastor. Email resumes, references and sermon links to dale.hopeark@gmail. com.

Floral Baptist Church of Floral, Arkansas, is seeking a full-time pastor. Send resumes and references to Floral Baptist Church, P.O. Box 96, Floral, AR 72534.

Calvary Baptist Church, Little Rock, is prayerfully seeking a full-time senior pastor. Send resumes to pastorsearch @cbclr.org.

Cedar Grove Baptist Church of Arkadelphia is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Send resumes and references to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 825 Cedar Grove Road,

Arkadelphia, AR 71923.

Chicot Road Baptist Church is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to 13301 Chicot Rd, Mabelvale AR 72103 or email chicotroadbaptist@att.net.

FBC Gould, AR, seeking full-time pastor.

Send resumes to Gould First Baptist Church, Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 375, Gould, AR 71643.

OTHER STAFF POSITIONS Bayou Meto Baptist, Jacksonville, seeking a part-time children’s and a part-time youth minister. Contact the church office at 501-988-1966 for more information on these 2 positions & where to send resume.

Seeking full-time children’s ministries pastor or director: East Side of Paragould is seeking the Lord’s qualified candidate to lead a thriving children’s ministry and to assist our families in parenting and disciple making. We are a loving and serving church in a growing community with quality schools. Send resume to Phillip Miller: pmiller@connect2eastside.com.

Hillcrest Baptist Church, Jasper, Texas, seeking full-time music minister. If interested, contact by phone: 409-384-3371, email: debbie_hillcrest@yahoo.com.

First Baptist Church of Wake Village, Texas is searching for a full-time minister of music/worship. Blended worship style us-

ing a choir, praise team and praise band. House and utilities provided along with a competitive financial package. Submit resumes to FBC, 820 Wake Ave, Wake Village, TX 75501, or sneathery@fbcwakevillage.org.

New Chapel Hill Baptist, West Monroe, LA, seeking full-time children’s minister.

Send resumes to melinda@nchbc.net.

FBC Prescott is seeking an energetic parttime music/choir director. Please send resume to: FBC Prescott Personnel Committee, PO Box 447, Prescott, AR 71857.

First Baptist - Marion, Arkansas, is searching for next full-time children’s minister to lead comprehensive children’s ministry for 1st5th grades. Three to five years of experience and theological training desired. Submit resumes to Resumes@firstmarion.org for consideration by October 31.

FBC Henderson, Texas is accepting applications for youth pastor. This ministry involves ministering to the 7th -12th grade students and their parents. This is a full-time position and resumes should be sent to dhiggs@thefbc.org.

First Baptist Church of Joplin, MO, is accepting resumes for the full-time position of pastor to children and families. First Baptist has experienced consistent growth in this area and with our upcoming relocation and new education/ children’s facility we are poised for even more kingdom growth. For information and to send your resume please visit firstjoplin. org/jobs.

First Baptist Church of El Dorado, AR is seeking to hire an associate pastor of worship. This full-time position is responsible for developing and leading a church-wide worship ministry, which promotes the development of fully devoted followers of Jesus. Interested candidates can submit a resume with cover letter by mail (200 W. Main El Dorado, AR) or email (jonathan.kelley@fbceldorado.org).

Third Street Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, AR, is currently seeking a full-time minister of youth and family. Please email resumes to jacobcengel@gmail.com.

Cocklebur Baptist, Ward, AR, is prayerfully seeking part-time youth leader. Accepting resumes through Nov. 30, 2017. Email resumes to cbc4138@gmail.com or mail to Attn: Youth Search Committee, 4138 Cocklebur Road, Ward, Arkansas 72176.

East End Baptist Church is seeking a bi-vocational worship leader. Responsibilities will include Sunday morning and evening services and leading the choir. Contact the church at 4701 East End Road, Hensley, AR 72065 or by emailing pastor@eebcar.com.

Looking for a part-time student minister for Wheatley Baptist Church in Wheatley, AR. Contact Ben Coulter 870-918-4166 or bencoultermusic@me.com.

Millcreek Baptist Church, Hot Springs, AR, seeking bi-vocational youth pastor to coordinate all aspects of the 7-12th grade youth group. Contact Vicki Caldwell:

vcaldwell01@yahoo.com or 501-840-3396.

Full-time youth/family minister, New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA. Send resumes to melinda@nchbc.net by Oct. 31.

Full-time minister to youth and families, Graves Memorial Baptist Church, North Little Rock, AR. The church is prayerfully seeking to hire a godly man to lead the youth ministry and assist our families in parenting and discipling kids of all ages. Email resumes to nick@gmbclife.com.

First Baptist Church in Forrest City, AR, is seeking a full-time minister of music.

Submit resume to: dianne@fbcfc.org Attn: Music Search Committee or by mail to 507 North Rosser St, Forrest City, AR 72335.

Levy Church, NLR, seeks full-time worship/executive pastor. Send resumes to: steventiner@levybaptist.com.

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Across Arkansas 13

www.arkansasbaptist.org Obituaries James Milbourne Ford, 72, of Conway died Sept. 5.

He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Conway.

Ford was a talented tenor, having participated in several quartets, especially while a student at Central Baptist College in Conway, and more recently in the Conway Men's Chorus.

He sang in the church choir as long as his health allowed.

Ford began preaching at age 16 and pastored 32 years in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi.

He also enjoyed serving as an EMT in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Ford is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wanda, three daughters, six grandchildren, a sister and a stepson.

Memorial services were held Sept. 26 at Central Baptist Church in Conway.

Raymond Eugene Jackson, 72, of Jacksonville, died Sept.

11 in North Little Rock.

He was a graduate of Williams Baptist College (formerly Southern Baptist College) in Walnut Ridge.

Jackson was a trustee at Williams Baptist College for many years.

He served 29 years as pastor of Morrison Chapel Baptist Church in North Little Rock.

Jackson was a member of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

He was preceded in death

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by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Ann, a daughter, two grandchildren and a brother.

Funeral ser vices were held Sept. 15 at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

On the move Steve Ellison is pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Mena.

He formerly served as associational missionary for Ouachita Baptist Association in Mena.

Ellison will continue as director of Ouachita Theological Training Institute (Seminary Extension).

75TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION – Kathryn Smart, 96, is presented a framed certificate at the 75th anniversary celebration at Anderson-Tully Baptist Church in Harrisburg, held Aug. 20. Smart has been a member there since 1960.

Breck Freeman (left), assistant mission team leader of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, makes the presentation as Matt Travis, pastor of Anderson-Tully Baptist Church, looks on.

‘Golden Age’ event features encouragement, music WALNUT RIDGE – Alabama evangelist Junior Hill brought strong words of encouragement, and The Punches brought rousing gospel bluegrass music to the fourth annual Golden Age Conference Sept. 21 at Williams Baptist College (WBC).

About 400 people gathered in the college’s Manley Chapel for the conference, which is organized by Baptist associations across northeast Arkansas.

Hill, a well-known evangelist and Southern Baptist leader, offered encouragement, seasoned with a healthy dose of humor.

Delivering two messages from the Psalms, he spoke of the current discord in society and of traditional values being cast aside. Hill encouraged the senior adults to refrain from fretting in the face of those challenges.

“If there’s anyone that ought to be happy, it’s a child of God,” Hill said, noting that fretting corrupts the spirit, is contagious to fellow saints and is confusing to sinners who should observe Christians to

The Punches perform at the fourth Annual Golden Age Conference in Manley Chapel on the campus of Williams Baptist College Sept. 21. Alabama evangelist Junior Hill (below) was the featured speaker at the event. be people of faith and peace.

The Punches, a family band from Missouri, p e r fo r m e d a number of familiar gospel tunes and bluegrass renditions of cont e mp o r a r y Christian numbers – resulting in an enthusiastic response from the crowd.

WBC President Tom Jones, an accomplished banjo

player, joined the band for two songs, which also brought rousing applause.

Music evangelist Ken Wadley of Jonesboro led the crowd in singing along as he played an array of hymns and classic gospel songs on the piano.

Wadley joined The Punches on two songs.

The Big Creek, Black River, Current-Gaines, Greene County, Rocky Bayou, TriCounty, Trinity and Mississippi County Baptist associations organize the Golden Age Conference each year.

The Arkansas Baptist State Convention and the Arkansas Baptist Foundation assist in sponsoring the event each year.

14

MONTREAL

October 19, 2017 North America, by far. … Less than one percent of people go to church.”

Pothier told the group that many Southern Baptists can learn a lot about what it looks like to work in a “secular context” from church planters working in Montréal.

“If you want to see what your future is and how you will figure out how to do ministry with different paradigms … come with us,” said Pothier.

Montréal is located on an island surrounded by rivers.

However, the city’s metro area extends across the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers.

Tony Silveira is a NAMB church planter who founded the Passion Centre. Located on the south shore of Montréal, Passion Centre has set goals that include extending

said Silveira.

“The need is for church planting. … We started Passion continued from page 7 Centre with the model that people don’t want a church and won’t come to a church. planting is a result of this,” So we wanted our church to said Copeland. “As the goslook more like a Starbucks pel is shared and disciples are than a church in order to reach made, it enforces a need for a the unreached,” he said. church.”

In 1998 the Canadian First Baptist Church, Fort National Baptist ConvenSmith, has been a partner of tion (CNBA) consisted of Renaissance Church since only 90 churches. Today the 2015. convention has nearly 400 “We are very excited about churches. our partnership with Renais“There is no convention sance Church,” said Eric in the SBC that has grown Ramsey, associate pastor at as fast as the Canadian NaFirst Baptist. “We are always tional Baptist Convention,” looking for opportunities to said Jeff Christopherson, vice plant churches and plant the president of NAMB’s Send gospel among unreached peoNetwork. ple groups, and right here in Gerry Taillon became the North America there are sevnational ministry leader, or eral places that are unreached executive director, with the gospel.” of the CNBA in He said that 1998 and has overFirst Baptist has seen its growth in partnered with size and ministry Renaissance over the past two Church both decades. through fund“I know it’s not ing and through because of me. It’s sending volundefinitely because teer teams to God has decided Montréal. The He wants to do church’s chief something here,” goal is to impact said Taillon. as many people as Quoting his possible with the mentor and first gospel. pastor Henr y “In our partDavid Pothier, pastor of La Chapelle, a multi-site French-speaking church Blackaby, Taillon nerships, we are plant in Montréal, tells how the church plant has experienced incredible said, “Don’t say it not looking for growth since its launch in 2013. Photo by Caleb Yarbrough can’t be done in mission trip opportunities for our people as campuses throughout Québec Canada. It’s the same God.” “The place that I would much as we are looking for and reaching Canada’s “first areas to impact with the gos- nations,” or Native Americans. have thought would have been Zoning laws in Québec the last place that this would pel,” said Ramsey. “We want to be a true partner in the make it difficult for churches happen is Québec. And God is church planting effort, and to exist. Just finding a suit- doing it here just to prove to us partnership means that the able location for a church to that He is on the throne and church planter takes the lead regularly meet is a struggle for He can do it,” he said.

“God is leading the way,” and we come alongside to help nearly all church planters servsaid Taillon. resource the church planter ing in the province.

A businessman before beContact Caleb Yarbrough at and the church planting team coming a church planter, caleb@arkansasbaptist.org. the very best we can.”

La Chapelle is a multi-site Silveira started a business French-speaking church plant through which he leases meetthat has experienced incred- ing space to various groups. ible growth since its first This strategic move has alcontinued from page 2 campus was planted in 2013, lowed Passion Centre to have a including seeing more than permanent place to gather and tive director. She has rejoined 100 people baptized within 18 host events, as well as expand the ABSC staff as a part-time influence in its community. months of its launch. employee.

Silveira’s business has David Pothier is pastor of WMU officers elected were hosted groups as varied as Margaret Little, president, La Chapelle.

“We really believe that we local Starbucks’ managers to a First Baptist Church, Fayare on the verge of a move of meeting of the Muslim Broth- etteville; Vickey Lloyd, vice God like we have never seen erhood. president, University Baptist “Greater Montréal has al- Church, Fayetteville; Judy before in our province,” Pothier shared with NAMB trust- most 6 million people; the Shaddox, secretary, Park Hill ees during a stop at one of the island has almost 1.3 million; Baptist Church, North Little church’s meeting spaces dur- and this area, the south shore, Rock, and Nora Earnest, treaing a recent vision tour. “We which is actually east of the is- surer, First Baptist Church, are the most unreached city in land, has about 1.5 million,” Dardanelle.

WMU

Tony Silveira, pastor of Passion Centre, shares about the need for evangelism and church planting in the Montréal metro area. Photo by Caleb Yarbrough

PASTOR continued from page 6 the beck and call of the membership, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Yes, they work more than Sundays. When they get a call in the middle of the night, they listen. They often go to attend to a need in the congregation. But who is

there for them? Who answers their call for help? Who listens to them without judgment?

Your pastor and staff need you. Do they know they can call on you? Do they know they can trust you? Let them know they are not alone. Let them know you are in their corner.

Larry D. White is the senior pastor of Woodland Heights in Conway.

Moore said about 270 Arkansas Baptist churches have WMU organizations of some kind, which include the following age-graded programs: Mission Friends, Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action, Children in Action, Challengers, Acteens, Youth on Mission, MyMission (young women ages 18-35), Women on Mission and Adults on Mission.

During the Engage event, Moore said workers with the International Mission Board (IMB) shared how God is changing lives in Southeast Asia.

“Arkansas WMU will be involved in Southeast Asia through an Arkansas Baptist State Convention Cooperative Program ministry with our IMB partners in 2018,” said Moore.

Lee and Elizabeth Barnett of First Baptist Church, Hot Springs, led worship, and a 20th anniversary celebration of the Christian Women’s Job Corps was held Friday night prior to the Engage event.

The next WMU Engage event will be held Sept. 22, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Benton.

www.arkansasbaptist.org October 29, 2017 The Old and New Testaments read assumption that, since Christ fulfilled very differently in many ways. Some of the law of the Old Testament, it is no the differences are due to the style the longer relevant to us today. Yet, in the various books were written in; other Sermon on the Mount in Matthew differences could be attributed to the 5:17 (HCSB), Jesus said, “Don’t asmillennia of history that take place be- sume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I tween creation and did not come to the early years of Explore the Bible destroy but to fulthe Church.

The way that fill.”

God interacts with God’s mandate humanity also looks for holiness reExodus 39:42-43; 40:4,34-38 different from the mains. Our hope Old to the New is in the work of Testament. While Christ that covers Christ appears as the us and makes us holy in Creator in Genesis, the the sight of God, apart fourth man in the fiery from any work of our furnace in Daniel and in own. many other Old TestaIn Exodus 40 we see God dwelling in glory ment stories, He is still within the tabernacle. the coming Messiah in Following the presence those books. of God, the Israelites In the Old Testament, Caleb Yarbrough would only move when humanity deals directly Little Rock a cloud that covered the with God the Father tabernacle moved. By day through prophets and there was the cloud, and designated priests. In the New Testament we see the fulfillment by night a fire was visible to all within of Old Testament prophesies, the com- the tabernacle.

In this passage we see an example ing of Jesus Christ into our world and the presentation of the Holy Spirit. of God’s people’s obedience as well as With Christ’s coming, we have an ad- the joy that our obedience brings God. God enjoys dwelling with His obedient vocate with the Father and a Savior.

It is easy for Christians to make the people.

His presence

Bible Commentary 15

Commitment is a theme that is Orpah and Ruth to go back to their found throughout Scripture. Biblical homelands. At first they both remarriage requires men and women to fused. Eventually, however, Orpah commit to a covenant before God, and relented and returned to Moab and its every Christian is called to commit to god. laying down his Ruth did not or her cross daily relent. Instead and following she a s s u re d Bible Studies for Life Christ.

Naomi that she One of Merwould never Ruth: All-in commitment break her comr i a m -We b ste r ’ s definitions of mitment to her, Ruth 1:8-17 commitment is, her people and “an agreement her God. or pledge to do “Do not persomething in the future.” suade me to leave you or As is the case with so go back and not follow many virtues, commityou. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherment is easier said than done. It’s one thing to ever you live, I will live; pledge to do something, your people will be my but actually following people, and your God through can often be difwill be my God. Where you die, I will die, and ficult.

Caleb Yarbrough there I will be buried.

In Ruth 1:8-17, we Little Rock May Yahweh punish me, read the story of Naomi, and do so severely, if anya woman who, following the deaths of her husband thing but death separates and two sons, was left living with her you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17, HCSB). two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.

Ruth’s decision to honor Naomi After hearing that God was provid- gives us a picture of what it means to ing His people food in the land of honor Christ in our commitments.

Judah, Naomi gathered Orpah and It would have been easier for Ruth Ruth and began traveling back there. to leave Naomi behind; instead, she On the way back, Naomi instructed chose to do what was right.

November 5, 2017 When you enter a time of prayer, votion to God, God receives glory. what are the first things you bring to Christ is the ultimate and final sacGod? rifice necessary for providing salvation Often, instead of slowing down and to all who have faith in Him; yet it’s taking time to helpful to look realize the amazback to the way the Jewish peoing things God Explore the Bible has done for me ple in the Old and thank Him Testament took for them, my first incredible care thought is to ask in making sacLeviticus 1:3-9; 2:1-3; 3:1-5 God for things. rifices to God. I figure I am Their sacrifices not alone here. were physical acts of Throughout Scripgratitude and devotion to God. ture God approves of In Leviticus 1-3 we and commands us to read the incredible attenask Him for things.

If we are asking God to tion to detail that Israel provide for us or work displayed when sacrificin certain situations, ing animals to God. We it often means that we are told that the result of trust that God is powertheir efforts was “a fire Caleb Yarbrough offering of a pleasing ful and has the ability Little Rock aroma to the Lord” (Lev. to answer our prayers.

3:5, HCSB).

Asking in faith is a good Next time you pray, thing.

However, we must not neglect show- take time to meditate on the lengths ing God gratitude for the countless that the ancient Israelites went to in blessings He has bestowed on us. Chief demonstrating their love, gratitude and among these is God’s sending His one devotion to God. Thank God for sending Christ to and only Son to die on a tree in order that we might be made holy in His die so that you might live! Pray that your worship might be a “pleasing sight!

When we are gracious and show de- aroma” like those of old.

Set before

Contrary to the message promoted persecution.

The passage says Barnabas was “full by prosperity televangelists and the likes of Oprah Winfrey, the Christian of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts life is not easy. Following Jesus brings 11: 24, HCSB). We should encourage joy, but it is also often a difficult task our brothers and sisters in Christ because that is what in a world that is we would have diametrically opBible Studies for Life them do for us. posed to the gosBarnabas: But we can’t fully pel. encourage others Considering Ongoing encouragement in the work of the task that beActs 4:36-37; 9:26-27; 11:19-26 Christ if we are lievers are called not first full of to, it goes without the Spirit and faith oursaying that all of us need selves. encouragement.

Barnabas did not enHowever, for most courage the believers at of us, criticism usually Antioch because he felt comes easier than encourlike it would be a nice agement. Sadly, it’s usualthing to do. Barnabas’ ly easier for us to pick out encouragement flowed what our brothers or sisfrom the “grace of God” ters in Christ have done that he witnessed there wrong than it is to lift up Caleb Yarbrough (Acts 11:23, HCSB). their victories.

Little Rock His encouragement was In Matthew 22:37-39, an overflow of the joy Christ shared the two he felt upon seeing the greatest commandments: 1) love God with all your heart, soul mighty work that God was doing, not and mind and 2) love your neighbor simply among the Jews, but also among the Gentiles. as yourself.

Pray that God would highlight His “I know that I need encouragement; therefore, I am going to encourage oth- grace in a way that will cause you to overflow encouragement onto those ers,” should be our mindset.

In Acts 11 we read how Barnabas around you, just like Barnabas experiencouraged early churches in a time of enced at Antioch.

16

Bonus Content

October 19, 2017

Congress should end IRS oversight of sermons NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – In the 1950s, Congress banned charitable nonprofits – including churches – from endorsing candidates or otherwise intervening in elections. Any nonprofit that violated the ban could run afoul of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Churches risked losing their tax-exempt status if the preacher endorsed a candidate in a sermon.

It’s time for that to change, most Protestant pastors say in a new survey from LifeWay Research released Oct. 16.

More than 7 in 10 say Congress should bar the IRS from punishing a church for sermon content. And 9 in 10 say their sermons should be free from government oversight.

“Most pastors believe the pulpit should be off-limits to the government,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research.

Pulpit freedom a concern

The phone survey of 1,000 Protestant senior pastors, sponsored by the Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), comes as Congress and the White House address the future of the so-called Johnson Amendment.

That 1954 law bans all 501(c)(3) nonprofits from active involvement in campaigns.

It was passed at the behest of then-U.S. Sen. Lyndon Johnson, who was reportedly angered at Texas nonprofits that opposed his re-election bid.

Only one congregation has lost its tax-exempt status due to the Johnson Amendment.

That happened in 1995, after the Church at Pierce Creek near Binghamton, N.Y., ran newspaper ads opposing Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential bid. Other churches have been investigated for the content of their sermons, including All Saints Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, after a preacher there criticized President George W. Bush days before the 2004 election.

Still, the IRS warns churches to steer clear of direct involvement in campaigns. And since 2008, the ADF has been challenging the restriction on endorsements through a series of annual “Pulpit Freedom” Sundays.

“Churches and their pastors

have a constitutionally protected freedom to decide for themselves what they want to say or not say,” said ADF Legal Counsel Christiana Holcomb.

“This poll demonstrates that religious leaders don’t want to be burdened by the continual threat of an IRS investigation and potential penalties based simply on what they say from the pulpit.”

LifeWay Research found widespread opposition to any government penalties for the content of a preacher’s sermons.

Ninety-one percent of pastors agree with the statement, “Pastors should have the right to speak freely from the pulpit without the fear of being penalized by the government.”

That includes 77 percent of pastors who strongly agree.

Six percent of pastors disagree. Three percent are not sure.

Among those who agree: – 96 percent of pastors at larger churches (those with 250 or more attenders).

– 88 percent of pastors at small churches (those with fewer than 50 attenders).

– 86 percent of pastors ages 18 to 44.

– 93 percent of pastors 45 and older.

– 96 percent of evangelical pastors.

– 85 percent of mainline pastors.

LifeWay Research also found most senior Protestant pastors say Congress should end any IRS oversight of a

pastor’s sermons.

Three-quarters (73 percent) agree with the statement, “Congress should remove the IRS’ power to penalize a church because of the content of its pastor’s sermons.”

That includes 60 percent who strongly agree. Twenty-one percent disagree. Six percent are not sure.

Pastors of large churches (87 percent) are among the most likely to agree. Female pastors (49 percent) are among the least likely, as are pastors 18 to 44 years old (60 percent).

Among other findings: – Pastors in the South (77 percent) are more likely to agree than pastors in the Northeast (66 percent).

– Evangelical pastors (84 percent) are more likely to agree than mainline pastors (58 percent).

– Baptist (86 percent), Pentecostal (93 percent) and Holiness (91 percent) pastors are more likely to agree than Lutheran (61 percent), Methodist (56 percent) and Presbyterian/ Reformed (61 percent) pastors.

Low support for endorsements

Previous LifeWay Research surveys found little support – from either pastors or Americans in general – for political endorsements in the pulpit.

But few Americans want churches punished if a pastor does make an endorsement.

Eight in 10 Americans (79 percent) say it is inappropriate for pastors to endorse a candidate in church, according to a

2015 LifeWay Research survey.

Three-quarters say churches should steer clear of endorsements. Yet fewer than half (42 percent) want churches to lose their tax exemption for publicly endorsing candidates.

A similar survey from the fall of 2016 found that endorsements during worship were rare. Only one Protestant pastor in 100 acknowledged endorsing a candidate during a church service. One in 4 (22 percent) had privately endorsed a candidate outside of a church service.

A Pew Research survey from the fall of 2016 found that 14

percent of Americans who attended worship services had heard their pastor speak out about a presidential candidate.

“Pastors – and Americans in general – don’t want church services to turn into campaign rallies,” McConnell said. “But when they do address political candidates, they don’t believe it is the government’s business.

There’s very strong support for Congress to make sure the IRS isn’t policing sermons.”

LifeWay Research is a Nashville-based research firm that specializes in surveys about faith in culture and churches.

Preschooler raises $400 for disaster relief JEMISON, Ala. (BP) – When 4-year-old Holden Roberts saw a news report featuring a little girl whose family had taken shelter from Hurricane Irma, it made him sad to think that kids had to leave their favorite toys behind.

Holden’s favorite toy is a log truck, but he asked his parents, Brett and Julie Roberts, about sending some of his other toys to the children who had lost theirs.

“I explained that the families might have some more immediate needs, but I told him we could find a way to help,” Julie Roberts, whose family are members of Pleasant Grove

Four-year-old Holden Roberts sold pumpkins to raise $400 for disaster relief after seeing news report featuring a little girl whose family had taken shelter from Hurricane Irma.

Baptist Church #1 in Jemison, Ala., said.

The family decided to create a pumpkin patch at their home in Jemison, with pumpkins purchased from a farmer’s market in Birmingham. On Sept. 16, the family was out early setting up the pumpkin patch.

By the end of the day, Holden had sold 40 regular pumpkins and 22 stackable pumpkins – their entire inventory – and had raised $400 for Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief.

Holden and his family made the trip to the Chilton Baptist Association office to present the donation.

Save time.

Save money.

Reach your entire church family by publishing your church newsletter on the back page of the Arkansas Baptist News

It’s easy.

It’s colorful.

It’s economical!

For information about how your church can participate contact: Barbara Vick, circulation coordinator, at 800-838-2272, ext. 5156

“Telling the story of Arkansas Baptists since 1901”